Photoshop: Beyond the Basics

Learning Photoshop Basics

Whether you are a freelance designer or another type of creative, knowing Photoshop is a must these days. Many employers in the field want new hires to have at least a basic understanding of this program, and it really is helpful to have some basic program skills, even outside of the professional realm. There are several different ways you can learn:

• Take a class. Many community colleges offer courses in basic Photoshop.
• Get a tutor. Do you know someone who can teach you the ropes? Perhaps you can help someone you know learn a skill you are adept at in return for some tutoring in Photoshop.
• Read a book. There are a ton of Photoshop books out there. Go to the library and flip through them to find one that works for your skill level.
• Do a Web-based tutorial. There are many of these out there as well--and seeing things hands-on can be really be helpful.
• Play around. If you have a copy of Photoshop, you can also try just spending some time with the program. Often you can pick up some of the basics by just playing around.

It doesn't matter what type of job you hold, if you are in a creative field, a few Photoshop skills will serve you well. Take a little time to get up to speed; you'll be glad that you did.

Photo Cropping Tips

Everyone from a freelance Website designer to a photo retouching specialist should know how to crop a picture in Photoshop. This is one of the most basic things you can do in terms of correcting the look of a photograph. There are many times the photo can be enhanced and improved by cropping it to highlight something--or eliminate something. Too much clutter in the background of a picture will water down the message, so cropping will help bring focus to a photo for an ad campaign--or even a candid snapshot.

To crop in Photoshop, simply choose the crop tool, re-size the photograph by dragging the box to your desired size and then eliminate the dark area outside the box. This works well to change the composition of a photo and emphasize a particular part of it. Be sure to start with a higher res image so that the cropped photo won't look grainy. When you crop, you are elimintating pixels. This typically isn't a problem for most Web images, but it can be an issue for print. Here are a few ideas for how to use the crop tool creatively:

• Change the photo from vertical to horizontal.
• Change the focus of the picture by zooming in on something.
• Create interesting imagery by cropping a photo in an unexpected way.

Information Architects On The Web

In the early days, Websites were fashioned much like print brochures, and designers used the technology that was available to them to create interesting imagery, much as they would for print. These days, Web design jobs are far more complex, and the navigational aspect is crucial to creating a successful product. Because of this, information architects that are able to draw on a broad spectrum of the current technology available will have a distinct advantage over their competitors. Things such as social media development and interactive Websites have created a whole new environment.

Since design has become so complex, a working knowledge of Photoshop is extremely beneficial for those in the field of information architecture. Many Web designers use this program, and in order to be able to assist them in developing a site that makes sense, it is paramount to know what is possibile. If you don't understand what Photoshop can do, you may be limiting the design without even realizing it. The potential exists for knowledgeable information architects to create truly unique navigational systems for these sites based on the capabilities that exist today.

Photoshop Brushes

Photoshop has a variety of brushes that you can use to achieve different effects. Whether you are a Los Angeles graphic designer or a digital illustrator, you can use these tools to create some truly amazing imagery. Besides simple adjustments, such as the feathering and size of the brush, you can also download many custom brushes from Adobe's Website. There are brushes that create a "fur" look, those that have grunge textures, some that are floral and others that are industrial.

If you are hoping to achieve a particular look, you can try one of the custom brushes and see if it works for you. Browse the ones on Adobe's site--they have a photo posted so that you can see the brush technique. This is helpful since you can tell at a glance if it may be a tool you can use. There are some that look like splatters or stains, some that look like fire and even brushes that create snowflakes. The possibilities are amazing--even for a seasoned Web designer or photography expert. If you haven't yet visited Adobe's Website to look at the custom brushes, take a minute to check them out. You may find something there that makes your job much easier.

Using Photoshop Brushes

Photoshop jobs come in many different forms, and for some of them it is helpful if you can use brushes. If you have not worked with these before, there are some simple things to keep in mind. You can size the brush by clicking on the drop down menu and dialing in the master diameter in pixels. You can also adjust the hardness of your brush by adjusting that slide-bar as well. Photoshop comes complete with a variety of different brushes that you can use, but you are not limited to these--there are plenty of others.

You can download one of many custom brushes, and these come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. There are many different places to find these, and Adobe has quite a number of them on their own Website. You can also choose to create your own custom brush. This is a fairly easy process, and you can make a brush out of just about any shape that you have created. Brushes are used for a wide variety of different things, such as borders, design and special effects. These tools can be helpful for doing everything from designing brand identity to creating custom invitations. If you haven't used brushes before, try playing with them a bit--the ones that come standard with Photoshop are simple and can give you a feel for what the brushes can be used for.

Web Designers: Photoshop As A Tool

Freelance Web design professionals can benefit from using Photoshop, even if they typically employ another program to create Web pages. There are a number of things that Photoshop can do that will save you quite a bit of time--especially if you are using several images in the design. Here are a few ways that you can utilize this program that will help make your job easier:

• Batch processing. This is a real time-saver and it can be the tool of choice for those who need to rotate and re-size photographs for the Web. Rather than doing it all manually, simply select the photos you want to adjust, input your settings, and the computer does all of the work for you. While the images are being processed, you can even move on to do something else. This type of idea also works for things such as changing color photos to sepia tones or renaming files.
• Text on image. Add text to a photograph without having to use Adobe Illustrator. This is a handy thing to be able to do, and as long as you don't need to create something really fancy, Photoshop will do the trick. For complex text layouts, you still may want to rely on Illustrator software.
• Photo retouching. Ideally the photographer takes care of the retouching before you ever see an image, but in reality, you may need to fix something here and there. Photoshop allows you to do things such as remove "red eye," clone out distracting details and adjust color.

Creating Icons With Photoshop

If you enjoy creative graphic design when it comes to icons and buttons on a Website or brochure, Photoshop is a great tool to help you create them. If you don't normally use layers, it takes a little bit of time to learn how to create these items, but the results are dramatic, polished and professional. The truth is, you don't need to learn Illustrator to do some of the more fancy tricks for imagery if you know how to get the most out of your Photoshop program.

There are many design tutorials on the Web that will walk you through the process of creating buttons and icons. Set aside a little bit of time to learn this skill if you don't know how to do it already. Even information architect jobs can be made easier by learning how to do this--you can use it in multimedia presentations to illustrate a particular point or to help people visualize the flow of information. Web designers would do well to add this to their skills, as it can really add to the look of a Website. For a simple tutorial, check out this step-by-step icon creation page at Photoshopstar: http://www.photoshopstar.com/effects/stylish-icons-for-website-or-multimedia-presentation.

Photoshop Elements

If you are currently using a program other than Photoshop to create Web pages or do layout work, you may still want to consider investing in Photoshop Elements. This program is a scaled-down version of the full one, but it still has many of the features that would be useful to designers or other creatives. It is also less expensive than purchasing the whole version of Photoshop. The good news is, just as Adobe has Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials, they also provide information and support for those who use Elements. That means even if you don't know much about the program, help is available.

Photoshop Elements allows you to do all the basics with images, such as saturation and desaturation, cropping, resizing, rotating, cloning, adjusting the resolution and working with layers. It also allows you to create special visual effects with tools such as line drawing, photocopy and stamp. Having Photoshop Elements in your arsenal can mean that you have more options when working on a project--without the added expense of investing in the full Photoshop program. 

Help For Photoshop Users

Can't decide what brush to use for a particular project? Are you having problems understanding how to create an animated GIF for a Website? Learning all the things that you can do with Photoshop can seem overwhelming, but the good news is--there is help available. It doesn't matter whether you are a production designer or the president of several graphic design firms--if you want to learn more about the program, all you have to do is make a little bit of time to check in with Adobe.

Besides tutorials, Adobe provides a selection of articles and troubleshooting information on their Website. This can be a life-saver if you need to find quick information. In addition to that, there is also online help offered if you have a specific question in mind or want to double-check your progress. Adobe also provides forums and blogs that have tips, tricks and solutions for those who are needing a bit of help getting things done. Examples of forums you can join include the Photoshop techniques forum and the photography forum. There is also information that is provided specifically for Windows users, and some for Macintosh users.

Photoshop: Tips And Tricks

Let's say you just landed one of those coveted New York design jobs and you want to impress co-workers as soon as you begin working there. One of the best things you can do is spend a little bit of time learning interesting tips and tricks that will set you apart from the rest of the people who work at the company. Naturally, this is true of any work environment, and if you use Photoshop, there is an easy way to do this--keep an eye on what is going on at CreativeTechTips. (http://creativetechs.com/tipsblog/)

CreativeTechTips is a blog that offers some terrific information on how to get the most out of Photoshop. Some of the posts include things such as:

• 11 ways to zoom in Photoshop CS4
• How to add face recognition to Lightroom
• Dragging Photoshop selections from one document to another
• Creating a 3D postcard
• Information on a variety of free Photoshop classes

This resource delivers good "bites" of information that you can employ in your workplace--no matter how you use Photoshop. It's easy to check in and see what the latest post is, and it can help keep you on the cutting edge of how to use this program like no one else.

Photoshop: Staying Up-To-Date

In order to maintain an edge in the field as a creative, it helps to stay up-to-date on the latest trends that are out there. This is also true of using Photoshop--there are so many different things you can do with this program. Knowing what is hot is crucial for everything from graphic design illustration to designing brand identity. How can you keep up with the ever-changing industry? One great way to stay on top of things is by checking out the most current Web-based tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to these sites if you can or bookmark them so that you don't miss out on the new information. It can also be helpful to actually schedule in time for learning new techniques as part of your work week.

Another thing you can do is just take the time to play around a bit on your own. Sometimes learning is all about the "lucky accident," and you just might find a new way of looking at things by allowing yourself the time to create. Who knows, you may wind up being a trend-setter yourself! Another simple way to stay up on the latest trends is to subscribe to a Photoshop or design magazine. These publications try to uncover the new directions that they see emerging, which can be your first clue as to where the industry will be going next.

4 Photoshop Techniques To Use With Caution

Creative graphic design is a skill, and it certainly ranks as an important one. Even so, there are certain Photoshop techniques that can brand you as an amateur if you don't use them very sparingly--or very carefully. Here are four to avoid, or at least to work hard at using well:

• Over-using visual effects. Just because you are able to create a photograph that looks like a painting doesn't mean you should apply that technique to all of the pictures on a brochure. Same goes for things such as lens flare and blur. A little goes a long, long way.
• Too much color enhancing. Emphasizing the color of an image can be nice when done with a light hand. Too much of it is distracting, and takes away from the overall look of a piece.
• Using sepia. This is appropriate in some cases, but don't do it just to do it. The mood of a piece should call for it, or the customer should request it.
• Crazy text/brush effects. Use caution when selecting a font, and try not to overdo it on things such as drop shadow or brush thickness.

Just these few cautions should help you use Photoshop to the best of your ability. If you are new to this program, keep these in mind when laying out a design for a client and you will automatically come up with a cleaner, more professional looking piece of work.

Logo Design In Photoshop

Designing brand identity typically involves the creation of a logo. This process can be a simple one, or a complex matter, depending on the client's needs. Creating custom logos in Photoshop is a great way to come up with something unique. It is also a good tool to use if you just need a simple design. If you are a freelance graphic designer, it pays to utilize Photoshop's custom shapes to get started--or to serve as a jumping-off point to give you ideas for a more intricate design.

Click on the custom shape tool in the tool panel on the right hand side of your screen and then check out the various options in the drop-down menu. Select the one you want to work with and drag it over to the canvas to begin. Some choices include symbols, ornaments and animals. From there you can add colors, effects and text to the image if desired to complete the logo. If this is too basic for you, try starting out with a few things here just to generate ideas and brainstorm things that you can build off of. All of this can be helpful for creating your own logo as well if you don't already have one. If you want to check out some tutorials on this subject, take a look at this roundup on All Graphic Design: http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicsblog/2008/08/a-roundup-of-the-best-photoshop-logo-design-tutorials-online

Photoshop: Working With Layers

Photoshop is all about layers. Whether you are talking about photo retouching or complex logo design, layers give the designer a world of different possibilities. Try to think of layers as a stack of individual design pieces that you can add or remove at will. All of these pieces together make up your final image. The advantage of working with layers is that if you don't like a particular piece of the design, you can simply remove it without starting from scratch again.

When working with layers, it is helpful to know what some of the symbols mean. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• The eye. This icon stands for "show/hide layer" and basically allows you to turn them on or off at will.
• The trash can. This icon means "delete layer". Pretty self-explanatory.
• The brush. This icon shows you which layer is currently active.
• Box within a box. This icon stands for "create a new layer".

Just knowing these few symbols will get you started working with layers. It can take a little time to get the hang of this Photoshop tool, but it is one of the most easiest ones that the program has to offer--once you know how to use it.

Easy Adds To Make Photoshop A Snap

If you are planning to use Photoshop on a regular basis, there are some "extras" that can make things a lot easier. It doesn't matter if you are a digital illustrator or a freelance graphic designer, certain tools can make the job run more smoothly. One thing that is nice to have is a second monitor. This enables you to spread out the tools and imagery so that you don't have to constantly be switching views. Although it may seem like a luxury to have two monitors, many people find that it makes them far more productive and cuts down on the time they spend working on an image.

Another item that can be very helpful for those using Photoshop is a tablet. Tablets allow you to have a lot of control over where you retouch images or how you handle editing. Most tablets come with a "pen" which gives you pinpoint accuracy when working with a photograph or design. Tablets also enable the user to draw their own images, which can be a nice addition to the overall capabilities of Photoshop. If you work with this program a good deal, some of these "extras" may be well worth a bit of consideration--especially if you can pick them up at a reasonable cost.

Changing Brush Sizes And Other Shortcuts

It doesn't matter if you are working on information architect jobs or Web design jobs, knowing some shortcuts in Photoshop is helpful. Shortcuts allow you to do things quickly—often by just using a keystroke rather than referring to a menu in the program. Here are a few to keep in mind as you work on a photograph or document:

• A quick way to change your brush tip size is to use the bracket key. Use the one that opens to the left to increase it and the one that opens to the right to make it smaller.
• Zoom in or out quickly by hitting control plus or control minus. (For a MAC, use command plus or minus.)
• Undo something you just did by hitting control z. (For a MAC, use command and z.)
• Press the space bar to activate the "grabber hand" so that you can move an image around. Once you release it, you will go back to the original tool you were working with.

These are just a few simple tricks that will save you time when you are working on a project. It is helpful to use the keyboard for a quick adjustment instead of searching for something in the toolbars. As you learn more about Photoshop, see if there are other shortcuts for things that you do on a regular basis. Let's face it—we can all use something to make a job go more smoothly.

Learning About Photoshop Tools

If you are fairly new to Photoshop, getting acquainted with the tools you will be using is a must. Fortunately, if you just take a little time to play around with them, you will get a good feel for what each tool does. Simply open an image, select a tool from the menu and see what happens when you use it on a photograph. Here are a few to try:

• The slice tool. Those who will be doing Web design jobs will want to get a feel for this tool, as it is used for creating Websites. It slices one image into smaller images and it looks like a small knife on the end of a pencil.
• The healing brush. This tool looks like a band-aid, and it can help you repair any areas of an image that need it. It will help blend scratches or spots.
• Clone stamp. This tool looks like an ink stamp and it also smooths out an image, but it will clone the area that you select, reproducing it on the new area.
• Eraser tool. This tool is shown as an eraser and it will do exactly as it says.

These are just a few tools that are commonly used in graphic design jobs or Web design jobs. Take a little time to see what some of the other tools do as well, and before long you will have an idea of what you are doing with Photoshop. Follow up with tutorials on the ones that you think you may need the most often.

Saving Photos For The Web

Whether you work for a New York graphic design company or do photo retouching, you should know how to save an image for the Web. Photoshop allows you to accomplish this quickly and easily, but you will have to remember a few details to make sure you are doing it in an efficient manner. Images that are too large will take a long time to load on the Web, and viewers get frustrated waiting for the page to come up. By the same token, you want to have good image quality so that the pictures look good.

This balancing act is exactly what Photoshop allows you to have pinpoint control over. First, click on "file," then select "save for Web". A box will come up that gives you a number of different choices. Since most photos come in JPEG format, you will need to dial in the quality settings and save. It is really a matter of personal choice how you set these, but again, you want a combination of good image quality and fast load time. It may take you a few tries to decide on what settings work best in your particular circumstance, but after a while you will be better able to come up with what makes the most sense for the project you are working on.

Advance Your Design Skills

It doesn't matter whether you are trying to come up with creative graphic design concepts or simply learn more about how to be a better freelance Website designer, continuing education is key. In order to stay on top of what is going on in the field, you need to continually advance your design skills and keep up on the latest trends. How can you do this? There are a variety of ways, but here are three that anyone can employ:

1. Follow someone better than you on the Web. These days there are blogs, Websites and tutorials everywhere. From Photoshop tips to Illustrator software, you can learn a lot from someone who has more knowledge than you do. Find someone on the Web who has good information on their site and keep checking back for more.
2. Get yourself a mentor. This is especially helpful if you are new to the design field, but mentors can help no matter how far along in your career you are. Having someone show you how they use some of the more complex Illustrator tools or walk you through how to create Web pages will really broaden your perspective.
3. Utilize social media. If you want to know where to find a good Web tutorial on the latest Photoshop brushes, or have a question about how to create a tri-fold brochure, Tweet your question on Twitter or post it on Facebook. Someone out there may have the answer you are looking for.

Photoshop: An Overview

Photoshop has continued to be a very popular program over time, and if you are in the design field it is helpful to know how to use it. Even so, there are so many things you can do with this program that it can feel overwhelming. If you have already worked with a program such as Illustrator, it may be a little easier to pick up, but if you are starting from square one, you should do a tutorial or two to get the hang of things. Much like Adobe has Illustrator tutorials, they have some for Photoshop; plus there are tutorials all over the Web.

Unless you are doing the most basic tutorial, one thing you will need to have is a familiarity with your workspace. There are four major sections that you will see in Photoshop: the palettes, options bar, menu and toolbox. Palettes primarily deal with color, but they control other features as well. The menu is used mostly for navigation and the options bar helps you to see what you have selected and what you can do with it. The toolbox is the section you go to if you need to select a particular tool. If you have at least a basic familiarity with these four things, you should be ready to begin learning this program.

Creating A Brush In Photoshop

As a designer, it is helpful to create your own brushes in Photoshop so that you have more variety for different Photoshop jobs. If you have a particular look in mind, you can use the settings to make a brush that will execute what you are trying to do--within reason. If you need a particularly custom brush, search through the various options on Adobe's Website or do a Google search for custom brushes on the Web. To create a brush, simply click on the options triangle and hit "new brush."

Once you have started this process, you can then adjust the settings. You can adjust the hardness or softness of the brush, the diameter, how round the brush will be and the angle. Be sure that when you begin, you are on a brush style that compliments your idea, as the brush you are creating will be based off of the one you have selected. Also, remember to keep the final brush for future use by clicking on the options triangle and hitting "save". Having some custom brushes for different uses extends your range as a designer.

Creating An Image In Photoshop

If you are trying to create a new image for the Web in Photoshop, there are a few steps you need to take regardless of whether you are working on creative graphic design or information architect jobs. The first thing you need to do is open a "new" page. When you do this, a dialogue box will appear and you will need to fill in certain information. Decide on a name for your new file and enter that in the appropriate box. You can always change it later when you are saving the file if you want to.

Next, you will need to specify both the width and the height that you want the image to be. What these numbers are will depend on your project. Be sure you are working in pixels when you do this. After that, you will need to enter the resolution. When you are working on the Web, 72 ppi (pixels per inch) is the number you should type in. As for "mode," make sure it is set to RGB. The last thing you select is the "contents," which for Web design, typically is "transparent." Once you have these things checked off, you are ready to begin working on your new document. 

What Is RGB?

If you haven't worked with Photoshop before, the letters RGB may not mean much to you, but they are something you will need to be familiar with if you are going to be putting images on the Web. There are many reasons you may need to do this, ranging from creating a brand identity for yourself to graphic design jobs that have some material for the Web. RGB is actually a simple concept at heart—the letters stand for red, green and blue. The RGB colorspace is what you will need to work in if you are designing images for the Web, as computer monitors are based on these three colors.

All of the colors you can use for Web design are basically a combination of these three. For example, mixing colors with a certain value together will create black or white. You can dial in the numbers to make everything from deep red to light green. Knowing these principles can help you make sure that your files are set up in the right colorspace (CMYK is the other one) so that images will look good on the Web. It also means that you will have a basic understanding of how mixing colors is done in Photoshop.

Photoshop Images: Resolution And Dimension

Photoshop jobs come in all shapes and sizes so even if you have worked with the program for a while, things outside your comfort zone may be a little bit difficult to execute. If you primarily work in graphic design jobs, you are aware of the fact that photographs need to be saved at a high resolution for print. If you are a Web designer, you know that 640 ppi by 480 ppi is a fairly standard size when it comes to creating a Web page. Stepping outside your normal work habits can mean mistakes if you aren't careful.

When you are doing something you don't usually do, make sure that you understand the guidelines for resolution and dimension--otherwise you may not get a good end result. There are many ways to go about learning the basics if you have to do something you don't normally do. You can simply Google a question, such as "what is the standard resolution for the Web," or "how can I create a vector in Photoshop?" Another thing you can do is watch one of the many tutorials that are available on the Web. To find one, just search for the concept you need, along with the word "tutorial" and you will see that there are plenty to choose from.

Do I Need Photoshop?

If you work in a creative field, you might be wondering if you need Photoshop to be competitive. There is no simple answer, and much depends on what type of work you do and what programs you already have. If you are well-versed in Illustrator and know your way around the Illustrator tools, it may be enough for you to stick with that program alone. On the other hand, if you do a lot of work with photographs, Photoshop may be a smart investment. Deciding can be a bit complicated.

If you are a freelancer and you have a tight budget, you may be able to get by with Photoshop Elements instead of the full program. Elements can do many of the basic things that Photoshop can do, but it has its limitations. One good way to determine what you should have is to go on Adobe's Website and compare features. Also, ask around in professional online forums and see what other people in your field have to say before making a final choice. Photoshop does enable you to do a wide range of things, but you'll want to make sure that the investment is worthwhile for your particular niche before you buy it.